The Kiribati Project: A Powerful Testament to Environmental Justice
In a world increasingly impacted by climate change, few stories encapsulate the urgency of environmental justice as poignantly as The Kiribati Project. This award-winning project, created under the leadership of journalism professor John Goheen, along with several dedicated Loyola students working in collaboration with local Kiribati youth, shines a critical light on the real-world effects of climate change on the central Pacific island nation of Kiribati. Their work recently earned a Special Recognition Award for Environmental Justice at the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest, a prestigious accolade that underscores the program's global significance.
Kiribati, often considered to be on the frontlines of the climate crisis, faces severe threats from rising sea levels and environmental degradation. This project, however, does more than document the challenges—it amplifies the voices of the Kiribati people and shares their stories of resilience and hope. Through this lens, the film intertwines Loyola University Chicago’s commitment to environmental sustainability, advocacy, and social justice, emphasizing the Jesuit mission of becoming "persons for others." The students behind The Kiribati Project have become advocates, not just filmmakers, using the medium to tell urgent stories about people and communities under threat.
One Earth Film Festival, the organization behind the Young Filmmakers Contest, is renowned for its commitment to inspiring action against climate change through powerful visual storytelling. The recognition bestowed upon The Kiribati Project by this organization elevates the film within a global conversation about climate action and the human cost of environmental degradation. The festival's emphasis on youth-driven, solution-oriented narratives aligns perfectly with the values that fueled this documentary. Being honored by an organization dedicated to fostering environmental awareness adds a layer of significance to the work done by Goheen and his students, further validating the importance of the documentary on an international stage.
A Transformative Learning Experience for Students
For the students involved, working on The Kiribati Project was a transformative experience that extended far beyond the classroom. Immersed in the realities of a nation grappling with climate change, they witnessed firsthand the intersection of environmental advocacy and social justice.
Sanjay Nambiar, a former student and SOC alum who also worked on The Kiribati Project, shared a personal reflection on the profound impact this experience had on him as a filmmaker and storyteller. He noted, “In the fortnight spent in Kiribati recording the stories of a culture and an ancient people, I am forced to contend with the precarious nature of life. As an Indian immigrant to the United States, I comfortably draw from both cultures, one ancient and one modern, to cement my own identity. But, what would a Kiribati citizen do if their island country was wiped off the face of the earth? What would an island country of over 100,000 residents do to preserve who they are, their identity? These are the questions that I came to confront in The Kiribati Project. I’m still searching."
This sentiment was echoed by other students, as they reflected on their time spent documenting the experiences of the Kiribati people. Student filmmaker Michael Rogowski said, “Being in Kiribati and seeing both the struggles and resilience of the people who call it home gave me an opportunity to truly make the connections between the version of global warming I was educated on and its real-world implications.” He added that this experience pivoted his storytelling approach “from being a more removed spectator to a more collaborative effort”.
Taylor Zielenbach echoed similar sentiments, saying, “This entire experience allowed me to truly understand the hardships that come with being on the frontlines of climate change. We worked with people who are going to face consequences of climate change and speaking with them made climate change really feel ‘real’ to me.” She explained how meeting these individuals deeply impacted her approach to storytelling and reinforced her commitment to sharing their narratives.
Guided by Adventure: Mentorship Beyond the Classroom
The mentorship of Professor Goheen played a pivotal role in shaping the students' growth as both filmmakers and communicators. Michael remembered, “Since my freshman year, Professor Goheen had been working towards creating The Kiribati Project. I vividly remember him pitching us the idea in my Intro to Video class and immediately being enthralled by the possibility of telling such a unique story." He further explained that Goheen gave them "a great amount of freedom to pursue storylines that we felt were important,” while still offering guidance when needed.
Reflecting on the experience, Nambiar recalled a memorable adventure that embodied Professor Goheen’s mentorship style. “I particularly remember an adventurous outing in North Tarawa Island where we set off at 9 pm to find hermit crabs and to record how they were caught by Kiribati fishermen. We stumbled and chased through some thick vegetation and rocky shoreline, eventually never finding the elusive crab. But the experience of that moonlit night, stepping out of our urban comfort zones to chase a story, defines the mentorship of Prof Goheen. He pushes students to find themselves as they pursue their storytelling skills. The objective was always to keep it realistic and rooted in truth.”
Robert, another student involved in the project, reflected on the significance of the experience, sharing that “being this immersed in a very hands-on experience puts you on the spot in a way that makes you figure out your strengths, weaknesses, and goals in a way no classroom ever could.” He described the unique opportunity as a reminder that “when you’re a person for others, it is important to actually be there with others to hear them out and try to think creatively about how to address these problems.”
Taylor also highlighted the depth of the mentorship she received, noting, “Professor Goheen constantly pushed me as a filmmaker to really investigate any sort of story we witnessed on the island—big or small. Even the smallest piece of information you receive can reveal a huge story the more you look into it.” This attention to detail, she said, helped improve her storytelling and filmmaking skills.
This hands-on learning allowed the students to develop a deep, personal connection to the environmental issues at play while cultivating essential professional skills they could carry forward into their careers. "This project has solidified my passion for filmmaking and storytelling. To put it simply, I hope I can continue to devote myself to projects such as these as a way of inspiring change in the world,” Michael said.